Jets
It took only one and a half preseason games, but the chants were heard last night at Jetlife Stadium. After not scoring in all of 8 preseason drives!!!! (unless you count Sanchez's TD pass to the Giants corner), the first team offense heard it from Jet's Nation. Chants of "We want Tebow (clap clap clap) We want Tebow (clap clap clap)" rang out from most of the 70,000 fans at last night's Jets-Giants Snoopy Bowl game. Tony Sparano might wear sunglasses so he doesn't have to look at the mess he created, but maybe he should invest in a pair of earmuffs so he doesn't have to hear the "Fire Tony" chants.
I don't understand how people are putting the blame on Sanchez for the offense's slow start. Not only are they learning a new offense without their two starting wideouts (Santonio and Kerley), but Mike Tannebaum has done NOTHING to clear up the team's biggest hole (literally and figuratively) in Wayne Hunter. I don't care if you're Aaron Rodgers, nobody could be asked to perform well when you have JPP and Justin Tuck in your face before you complete your three step drop. Not to place the blame entirely on Hunter, where has D'brickshaw Ferguson been since signing his contract extension? D'Brick Wall has looked more like a revolving door for the past year.
Last night was just another cruel reminder that the only way the Jets could beat the Giants is in headlines. In the past 4 years the Giants won two Super Bowls. The Jets: "beat" an undefeated team, ate "Goddamn Snacks" on Hard Knocks, found out that their head coach loves feet more than a kitchen-sink blitz, signed a corner who has enough kids to field his own football team, their franchise QB dates a 16 year-old, Brett Favre dick pics, their head coach gave someone the bird at a UFC fight, Braylon's DUI, and in-fighting between their franchise WR and the rest of the offense ruined last season (am I forgetting anything?).
At least the Jets are the only football team to have two different quarterbacks pose shirtless for GQ in back-to-back seasons, so we have that going for us.
Too bad there weren't any goats involved, right Tom?
That picture never gets old.
Back to business though. I thought Sanchez took a step in the right direction by saying he's going to start taking control of his huddle earlier this week, but his confidence must have gotten shaken again. That's what happens when you have the most popular player in the NFL as your backup. I've said from the beginning that I like Tebow the football player, but it was a high risk-low reward move for Gang Green.
Instead of helping his current QB by getting wide receiver that can stretch the field, or begging Damien Woody to leave ESPN to get his right tackle job back, Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson hired a built-in QB controversy. Not even in WoodyBaum's wildest imagination did they think it would start to blow up in their face before the regular season even starts.
In case I didn't make it clear, I want Mark Sanchez starting all 16 games this season for the Jets. If they do replace him for Tebow, it is probably a move out of desperation for Rex to save his job. By the way, no worms were hurt on Timmy's pass intended for a wide open Stephen Hill in the end zone last night.
Yankees
The Yanks have been battling through injuries all season. From Mariano to A-Rod, Joba, Gardner, CC Sabathia, Mike Pineda, Andy Pettitte, and now Mark Teixiera it's amazing that they're still in first place in their division. Nobody is going to feel bad for the underdogs with a $200 million pay-role, but with David Phelps and Freddy Garcia pitching every five days, Casey McGehee and Eric Chavez platooning in third, and until recently Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez were starting in our outfield every night, you have to give them some props.
The question now as we're nearing October is which of those guys might be healthy enough to make an impact. We can already cross Mo, Gardy, and Pineda off the list. With another setback it's likely Andy will be shut down for the year. You expect A-Rod and Tex to be ready, but they weren't even playing that well before their injuries. The only guy I really feel confident in now is CC.
It might be a little early, but guys are now starting to position themselves for their roles in the postseason. The lineup is pretty much set barring further injury, with Martin, Tex, Cano, Jeter, Ichiro, Grandy, and Swish. Jones or Ibanez will probably DH depending on if they're facing a lefty or righty. I think A-Rod's role could be diminished because of how good Eric Chavez is defensively.
Assuming CC is healthy, he will start game 1, and probably Kuroda will start Game 2. That leaves Hughes, Nova, and Garcia to pitch Games 3 and 4 if Pettitte doesn't come back. Right now it looks like Nova winds up on the short end of the stick. However, Hughes was essential coming out of the bullpen in the 2009 run, so that may play a factor in the Yankees decision.
Is it any surprise that Joba Chamberlain has looked awful since returning from his Tommy John/ankle injury? I give the guy credit for working his ass off to even make it back to the majors this season when every doctor told him it couldn't be done. Joba was over-hyped in 2007, and never lived up to expectations as a starting pitcher. He can still be a good addition to the Yankee bullpen and doesn't deserve the criticism he is receiving this season.
Mark my word, the Red Sox are going to make a late season push, saving Bobby Valentine's job. It could be too little too late to make the playoffs, but with the extra Wild Card it's not impossible.
MMA
Ronda Rousey left another arm in her wake last night. She is 6-0 as a professional fighter, winning every fight via armbar submission. She's been in the cage for less than 8 minutes combined in her six fights! Rousey's the only UFC fighter with a finishing move. She just needs a nickname for it, like a Stone Cold Stunner.
Recent comments from Jon Jones and Anderson Silva about only taking easier fights that will make them more money are disturbing. UFC avoids the problems that boxing has because Dana White and Joe Silva rule with an iron fist on who fights who. When the sports two biggest stars make these comments publicly it could start to hurt the reputation of the UFC.
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